In a game that meant NOTHING to them, and everything to the Flyers, the Rangers beat the Flyers on their own turf with a come from behind, 4-3 victory. The flyers needing just one point to win home ice in the first round, blow THREE one goal leads, and will head to Pittsburgh in round one. (Meaning the Flyers are one and done in the playoffs)Not gonna do a lot of game recap here. Doobie was a stud getting a shorthanded and power play goal. Blair Betts scores first goal in 34 games, happens to be the game winner. (If Philly does lose a deciding round one game in Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, I wonder if any of the players will be watching the clock tick down on their season, and start thinking, "We are here because of a Blair Betts goal") And Hank got his 38th victory of the season (setting a new career high). Rangers finish with 95 points and will open up against the Caps.
At the end of the game, when it was clear the Rangers had ruined the flyers chances at home ice, the flyers took a cheap shot from behind on avery, which resulted in Avery's kicking Hartnell's ass. It was an emotional, strong statement game from the Rangers, who look as ready as they can be for the postseason.
Updated first round matchups and predictions:
I still like Boston advancing over Montreal, despite the history. I am trying to will the Rangers to a victory over the caps. Devils will fall to the Hurricanes, and Penguins will beat the flyers. (Love seeing the Devils and Flyers one and done) (The west matchups got completely thrown out of whack with today's games, so ignore previous commentary on them)
Two years ago, a few weeks before the NFL playoffs started I said to a friend, "You know, if I had to guess, the Giants will prob end up playing the Buccaneers and their top ranked defense in the first round, if they win there, they go to Dallas to play the 1 seed, and if they win there, they will go to Green Bay and near impossible to win in january Lambeu field to play the 2 seed Packers. If they survive those three games, they will most likely play the Patriots for the Super Bowl. If they pull that off, it will most likely be the most improbable playoff run in NFL History"
Well, it was.
Looking at how these playoffs could matchup, not sure where this will stand in NHL history, but if the Rangers did make a run, this is what they would be looking at. After taking out the Caps, they will likely play the one seed in Boston, after that series is over, they would travel to Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference finals. And if they were able to survive those three series, they will absolutely have a superior team from the West waiting in the finals, most likely Detroit. Unlike football where it is just one game, where most anything can happen, and a huge screwup can cause a huge upset, the rangers will have to beat a better team FOUR times, each round, making the upsets much more unlikely, and improbable. But I will say this now, if rangers go Caps, Bruins, taking out the 1 and 2 in the East, and then Pittsburgh (a place they have had NO LUCK the last few seasons), and Detroit...that will eclipse the GMen in unlikely championships.
Keys to Winning Playoff Hockey: (And where the Rangers rank out of 8 Eastern Conference teams, in my opinion)
- Good Penalty Kill: # 1 of 8
- Good Power Play: # 8 of 8
- Great Goaltending: # 2 of 8
- Momentum: # 4 of 8
- Strong, Physical Play: # 4/5 of 8
- Great play from Defenseman: # 7 of 8
The numbers don't scream upset, but who knows. Could really use a 2006-2007 Roszival in this postseason.
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All true and great analysis, Nugs, but with Lundqvist you have the opportunity to have the best goaltender on the ice in any given game. And when you've got the bext goalie - you always have a chance to win. Against anyone.
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